Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on whether it is essentially businessmen or businesswomen, with their post pay mobile phones, who are the real winners as pre-pay customers in view of a company's (details supplied) announcement regarding mobile phone roaming charges; and if so, the measures which are being used to combat same. [6699/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures being taken in view of a company's (details supplied) recent statement that it will abolish mobile phone roaming fees in order that the Border cannot be used as an excuse to overcharge customers. [6702/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures which have been devised to encourage other Irish operators into following a company's (details supplied) lead regarding the positive moves on roaming charges from April 2006. [6700/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources re the recent abolishment of inadvertent mobile phone roaming charges between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; the measures he is proposing at EU level to tackle international roaming charges; his views on the recent advice of the British regulator (details supplied) for British mobile users to use pre-paid cards when abroad to avoid international roaming charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6713/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had communication with the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs regarding the hidden charges of mobile phone companies; and if there are plans within his Department to examine the practice of delivery charges within the industry. [6744/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects further progress in the development of integrated telecommunication networks on an all-island basis having particular regard to the welcome announcement of the abolition of roaming charges by a company (details supplied); the way in which he sees such developments progressing in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6612/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, due to the fact that EU pressure is being put on unscrupulous mobile phone operators to reduce or even remove their roaming costs, the pressure being put on Irish operators by the Government, following a company's (details supplied) recent announcement. [6701/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take to ensure that the quality of mobile phone services here are brought up to that available in other jurisdictions, notwithstanding recent progress by a company (details supplied) in regard to roaming charges; if he expects other service providers to follow this pattern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6641/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 89, 102, 124, 132, 137, 161 and 169 together.

The regulation of telecommunications operators, including regulatory issues surrounding pricing for mobile services and quality, is the responsibility of the Commission for Communications Regulation in accordance with the requirements of the Communications (Regulation) Act 2002 and regulations made under the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications.

All our EU partners are also subject to the same EU regulatory framework. Under this framework telecommunications markets are regulated on a national basis by independent regulators who have an accountability to this House. Ofcom is responsible for the regulation of telecommunications operators in Northern Ireland and ComReg regulates the sector here.

Any changes to the existing EU regulatory framework would be subject to negotiations at EU level. The EU regulatory framework is currently being reviewed at EU level. I have already raised and will continue to raise the issue of roaming with my EU counterparts and Commissioner Reding. I am not satisfied the high levels of roaming charges — for voice and text — are justified and I would like to see a much greater focus by the Commission on this issue.

I welcome the EU initiative announced by Commissioner Reding whereby the Commission hopes to have a regulation in place by 2007, which will provide that international roaming charges should be no higher than national roaming charges. In addition to this, I point out that there is close co-operation between both regulators and Governments.

I have prioritised roaming charges as an issue that is of concern to people on the island. My Northern counterpart, Minister Angela Smith and I have had a number of meetings with the regulators who are working with the operators North and South and looking at ways to address the issue of inadvertent roaming. These discussions have focused on improving network coverage and exploring tariff options. I realise this is an issue that involves business decisions which is a matter for the operators but I consider that it is totally unacceptable for any person to be incorrectly charged for roaming.

For my part, I have already taken the opportunity in meetings with the operators to raise this issue and will continue to do so. I will also continue to pursue the issue with the Northern Ireland Minister Angela Smith. I welcome the recent announcement by O2 that it will tackle the roaming issue both for bill pay and pay-as-you go users. O2's decision brings desirable competitive pressure on other mobile phone companies to also step up to the mark. However, I would like the broader issues addressed in relation to roaming as I consider the roaming charges generally are far too high.

My officials have written to the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and highlighted the issue of individuals being charged international rates for inadvertent cross-Border roaming when they were actually making national calls. The recent announcement by O2 highlights that the solution to this matter rests with the operators.